Flushing apparatus



Patented Oct. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 2,131,765 FLUSHING APPARATUS James M. Teahen, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 7, 1936, Serial No. 104,557 Renewed December 2, 1937 17 Claims.

for such operation and, therefore, a storage is Usually, the storage tank is of aV necessary.

capacity suicient to provide the full quantity f of water required for at least one fiushing operation which determines the minimum dimensions. The refilling of the tank is controlled by a so-` 20` called ball cock an essential elementof which is a float controlled lever arm which gradually closes oif the-water supply as the height of water in the tank rises. e

One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce the size of the storage tank by supplementing the volume of Vwater which it contains with that introduced during the flushing operation, through a wide open water inlet valve. It is a further object to reduce the time of refilling "Y the tank both by reason of its smaller capacity and by maintaining the inlet Valve wide open until the full height is attained.

The usual means controlling the discharge of water from a ushing tank is a iloat` Valve which when once lifted from its seat will remain clear of the same until the tank is nearly emptied. On the other hand, the usual means of iilling the tank is, as before stated, a ball cock entirely f separate and distinct from the discharge means, Mythe ball or float being of considerable size and occupying space within the tank. It is another object of my invention to dispense with these separate devices and to substitute therefor a single unit controlling both the discharge and the re- 45ifllling oi the tank. A further feature of this combined unit is thatit dispenses with the ball or float usually employed for controlling the inlet valve and provides a control which is instantaneously open to full capacity on the lift- 50 ing of the flush valve, and remains thus wide open until the tank is filled to the desired level. Thus my improved construction is greatly simplified; Yis reduced in size; and performs its function in less time than the constructions heretofore used.

55 In the drawing I have illustrated by improved illustrated but it will be understood that this con- 5- iiushing device as designed for use with a water closet where the tank is integral with the bowl. The bowl is, however, not shown, and if desired may be a separate unit from the tank. Y Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing a por- 5 tion of the tank and with the combined inlet and discharge unit in vertical central section; Figure 2 is a similar View of the unit showing the flushing valve in raised position;

`Figure 3 is a plan View of the seat fitting and` 10 associated parts with the flushing valve removed;

The tank A formed of any 'suitable material but preferably the so-called porcelain ware, is of suitable dimensions for providing the required water storage capacity. In View, however, of the 15 simplied construction of mechanism placed in the tank it may be formed with a relatively small opening in its top normally closed by a cover B.

C is the combined `inlet and discharge control unit which is of the following construction. 20

D is an annular seat member for the water discharge which is located in an opening E in the bottom of the inner wall of the tank with a gasket F for forming a water seal. YG is the water inlet connection which is arranged axially with- 25 in the seat member D and is formed integral therewith being connected thereto by radially extending hollow spokes H opening through the periphery of the member D. The lower end of the portion G is externally threaded and is adapted to pass through an outer bottom wall I of the tank between which and the inner wall is formed the discharge passage J. The specic construction of the hollow bottom of the tank is not fully veys the water to the desired point and preferably is formed integral with the bowl of the closet. G is a nut engaging the threaded portion of the member G and G2 is a gasket clamped by said nut to form a seal with the wall I, said nut also 40 constituting the means for holding the seat D down upon the gasket F and inner bottom wall of the tank.

'I'he control of the water entering through the portion G and discharging through the hollow spokes H is eifected by a valve engaging an annular seat K within the upper portion of said member G. The member K is threaded at K to engage a correspondingly threaded portion of the member G, andits upper end portion is located within an enlargement G3 ofthe portion G, leaving an annular space therebetween communicating with the hollow spokes. Above the seat K is arranged a flexible diaphragm L which is peripherally clamped on a shoulder G4 by a threaded 55 cap member M. This cap member M extends upward above the seat D and forms a guide for the flush valve, as well as performing various other functions hereinafter described. The diaphragm; L has centrally connected thereto a member N which extends downward within the members K and G and in connection with the former forms in effect a piston valve. At this end the member K has a cylinder portion K which is somewhat smaller in diameter than the seat portion K and terminates at a point some distance below said seat. The member N has a central channel N passing completely therethrough having an enlarged portion N2 at its lower end which connects with radial ports N3 opening through the periphery of the member N. These ports are so located that when the dia.- phragm L is resting against the seat K the ports will be below the upper end of the portion K so as to be sealed by said portions. On the other hand, when the diaphragm 4is raised from the seat K this will lift the member N so as to uncover the ports N3. The member N is clamped to the diaphragm by a threaded cap member O` engaging a correspondingly threaded nipple passing through the diaphragm. This cap member O contains a ball O which is held from upward disengagement by a flange O2 having an aperture therethrough which is less than the diameter of the ball. This aperture is, however, so formed that the ball will not completely seal the same when it engages the flange O2, but will leave a restricted port though which water may pass.

With the construction as thus far described, it will be understood that water entering the portion G will press upward against the member N and diaphragm L tending to lift the latter off from the seat K. However, at the same time water will pass through the channel N and restricted port formed by the flange O2 and ball O entering the chamber within the cap M so as to exert pressure against the upper face o-f the diaphragm L. Furthermore, as the area of the upper face of the diaphragm is greater than the area of the .lower face in the seat K, there will be a preponderance of pressure to hold the diaphragm down thereby sealing the same against the seat K and preventing flow of water into the annular chamber G3 and hollow spokes H. Thus to permit the diaphragm to rise from the seat K, the pressure within the cap M must be relieved, this being accomplished as follows:

As has been previously stated, the cap memberk M rises above the seat D forming a lcentral guide for the flushing valve. This valve P has a lower chambered annular portion P' carrying on its lower face a sealing gasket P2 which normally rests upon the seat D. Above this portion P' extends a tubular portion P3 which rises to the desired level of the water within the tank. The cap member M extends upward a portion of the height of the flush valve P so that the latter after being raised from its seat will be guided in its descent for a re-engagement therewith. At the upper end of the cap member M is located a lateral extension M with a port through its underside normally sealed by a ball valve M2. This valve can be placed in position through an aperture in the member M above the same normally closed by a cap M3. Pivotally supported on the member M is Ya trip lever Q which has a finger Q extending beneath the ball M2 and in one position of said lever unseating said ball so as to vent the chamber within the cap M. Thus in this position the pressure of water above the diaphragm L will be relieved permitting the pressure beneath said diaphragm to raise the disk from the seat K and permit discharge of water from the member G through the hollow spokes H into the tank. The member Q in another position will withdraw the finger Q from the ball M2 permitting the latter to reseat and consequently permitting the pressure within the chamber M to again build up until it forces the diaphragm L downward to the seat K.

The trip lever Q just described is enclosed within the upwardly extending tubular portion P3 of the valve B and is so constructed that in either of the two positions above referred to, it will be in stable equilibrium, being held by gravity from change in position. However, the valveP is provided with a cam portion P4 which during the rising of said valve will engage a portion Q2 of the lever, tilting it from the position shown in Figure l where the valve M2 is seated, into the position shown in Figure 2 where the finger Q has displaced said valve M2 from its seat. This position will be maintained even after the reseating of the valve P and therefore the diaphragm L will remain raised from the seat K and water will continue to flow over said seat through the hollow spokes H into the tank. This will continue Yuntil the level of the water reaches the upper end of the tubular portion P3 of the valve P and begins to overflow therein. The upper end of the trip lever Q has formed thereon a cup portion Q3 which is in the path of the water overflowing into the tubular portion P3 solas to be filled thereby. This will change the balance of the lever so that it will again tilt into the position shown in Figure l, where the finger Q is withdrawn from the valve M2 permitting the latter to reseat and closing the chamber within the member M so that pressure will again build up in said chamber.

From the description above given the operation of the apparatus will be understood, but briefly is as follows:

The normal position of parts is as shown in Figure 1 and assuming that the tank A has been previously filled the water will stand in this tank up to the level of the upper end of the member' P3. The valve P is resting upon the seat D and the diaphragm L is held against the seat K so that water will neither enter or discharge from the tank A. To effect the flushing operation the valve P is manually lifted by suitable means, such as a lever R actuated by a handle R. As soon as this valve is lifted from its seat, it will float remaining in raised position during the emptying of the tank, while during its upward movement the cam P4 engaging the portion Q3 will tilt the lever Q into the position shown in Figure 2. This will cause the finger Q' to un seat the valve M2 exhausting pressure from the chamber M and permitting the diaphragm L to be raised by the preponderance of pressure on the underside thereof. Water will then be free to pass over the seat K into the annular chamber G3 and hollow spokes H outward into the tank. After the valve P re-engages the seat D, the water will continue to flow in the same manner until the tank is completely lled, whereupon the overflow filling the cup Q3, will again tilt the lever to the position shown in Figure 1, permitting the reseating of the valve M2 building up a pressure in the cap M and forcing the diaphragm L against the seat K.

In the operation of the flushing device it is desirable to avoid noise and particularly water fi l).

hammer which might occur by the too instantaneousclosing o f the inlet valve. This may be accomplished by `the restriction of the port through which the Water passes from the inlet to the chamber in the cap member M. This, however, might occasion vanother diiiculty as a small, port is easily clogged by sediment so as to render the device inoperative. With my improved construction I avoid these difficulties by forming the restricted passage between the ball O `and the ange O2 of the cap O'. Normally this ball `drops away from said flange but when water is iiowing upward through the passage N it will lift the ball, pressing itagainst said flange which is so fashioned as to leave a port of the required restriction. However, if sediment should lodge to obstruct this port, it will be removed when the ball falls so that in this way therestricted passage is kept clear and may be mad as small as desirable.

Another featureof my improved construction is the depending member N which forms in effect a piston valve operating in the cylinder K. When the diaphragm L is lpressed against the seat K the member N will be in a position to close the peripheral ports N2` Thus when the ball valve M2 is unseated, permitting the pressure within the cap member M to exhaust, the member N will act as a piston for lifting the diaphragm Land escape of water is prevented until the ports N2 are uncovered. At this time the disk will be yfully separated from the seat Krsothat the wateris free to flow outward through the hollow spokes H.

What I claim as my invention is: 1i. In a `iiushingr apparatus,` the combination `with a tank having a discharge port, of a combined water inlet Yand outlet fitting including an annular seat surrounding said discharge port, a` water inlet connection arranged within said annular seat and discharging outside thereof, a ushvalve normally engaging `said seat, a valve i controlling the water inlet, andmeans operated by the lifting of said ushvalve for opening said water inlet valve.

`2. Ina flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a combined water inlet and outlet iitting including an annular seat surrounding said port, a

. water inlet arranged within said annular seat, a hollow spokeextending fromy said water inlet to said annular seat and opening through the latter, a flush valve normally engaging said annular seat, a valve controlling the flow of water from said inlet through said hollow spoke, and

means operated by the lifting of said iiush valve for opening said inlet valve.

3. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a.

combined water inlet and outlet fitting includf ing an annular seat surrounding said port, a

Water inlet arranged within said annular seat, a hollow spoke extending from said water inlet to said annular seat and opening through :the latter, a flush valve normally engaging said annusaid Water inlet valve.

4. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a combined water `inlet and outlet fitting including an annular seat surrounding said port, a water inlet arranged within said annular seat, a hollow spoke extending from said water inlet to said annular seat and opening through the latter, a flush valve normally engaging said annular seat, a valve controlling the ilow of water from said inlet through said hollow spoke, means operated by the lifting of said flush valve for opening said inlet valve, and means for closing said water inlet valve from full open position operating only after the water in the tank has risen to the standard level.

5. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, valves for respectively controllingA said discharge port and water inlet, means operating upon the lifting of the discharge valve for fully opening said inlet valve, and means operating after the reseating of said discharge valve and the rising of water in the tank to its normal level for closingsaid water inlet valve from its full open position whereby the now of water intosaid tank is unobstructed from the opening of the discharge Valve to the completion of the refilling of the tank.

6. In a ilushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water outlet port, of a combinedV fitting for controlling the discharge and the refilling of said tank comprising an annular seat surrounding said port, a water inlet conduit centrally arranged within said annular seat, a plurality of hollow spokes for connecting said Water inlet conduit with said annular seat and opening through the periphery of the latter, a iiexible diaphragm and a cooperating seat within said water inlet conduit for closing communication between the same and said hollow spokes,

a chambered member above said diaphragm eX- posing a greater area of the latter to the pressure within said chamber than the exposure on the opposite side ci the diaphragm within said seat, a restricted by-pass establishing communication between said water inlet and-the chamber within said chambered member above thediaphragm, a valve for normally closing a vent `for said chamber, a flush valve for engaging said annular seat, and means operated upon the lifting of said iiush valve for unseating the valve for said vent and exhausting the water pressure in said charnbered member whereby pressure below said diaphragm will lift the same to permit flow of water through said hollow spokes.

, '7. In a iiushing apparatus, the combination with a tankhaving a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, valves for respectively controlling said discharge port and water inlet, means for opening said inlet valve upon the lifting of the dischargevalve, and means for closing said inlet valve upon the rise 'of water in the tank to a predetermined level, said means permitting said valve to remain fully open until said level is attained.V

`8. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, valves for respectively controlling said discharge port and water inlet, means for opening said inlet valve upon the lifting of the discharge Valve, and means operated by theoverow of water from a predetermined level within said tank for closing said inlet valve.

9. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, valves for respectively controlling said discharge port and water inlet, means for opening said inlet valve upon the lifting of the discharge valve, and means operated by theoverflow of ,water from a predetermined level within said tank for closing said inlet valve, said overflow being adapted for use as a part of the refill for the clo-set bowl.

10. In a flushing apparatus, the combination of a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, of a hollow oat valve for the discharge port having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for water in the tank when a predetermined level is attained, a water inlet connection, a valve for controlling the same, means for opening said water inlet valve on the lifting of the hollow float valve, and means within said hollow float valve operated by the overilow of water therein for closing said inlet valve.

11. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge po-rt, of a valve controlled water inlet connection, a hollow float valve normally seated to close said discharge port and having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for the water of said tank when a predetermined level is attained, means operated by the lifting of said float valve for opening the valve of said water inlet, and

means operated by the overflow of water into the tubular extension of said oat valve when seated for closing said water inlet valve.

12. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a combined water inlet and outlet fitting including an annular seat surrounding said discharge port, a Water inlet connection arranged centrally within said annular seat and discharging outside thereof, a valve for said inlet, a hollow oat valve normally engaging said annular seat and having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for the water of said tank when a predetermined level is attained, and means controlling said inlet valve including a lever within said hollow float valve actuated by the lifting of the latter to effect the opening of said inlet valve and actuated by the overflow water when said oat valve is seated to eect the closing of said inlet valve.

13. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a combined water inlet and outlet fitting including an annular seat surrounding said discharge port, a water inlet connection arranged centrally within said annular seat and discharging outside thereof, a valve for said inlet, a hollow float valve normally engaging said annular seat and having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for the water of said tank when a predetermined llevel is attained, and means controlling said water inlet connection comprising a diaphragm valve having a restricted port therethrough, a member above said diaphragm valve extending within said hollow oat valve and forming a water chamber for normally holding said diaphragm to its seat, a normally seated valve controlling a vent for said chamber, a lever pivotally attached to said member actuated by the lifting of said hollow float valve to unseat said vent controlling valve, and means in the path of the overflow water when said hollow float valve is seated for actuating said lever to permit the reseating of said vent valve, thereby permitting water passing through said restricted port to reseat said diaphragm valve.

14. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, valves for respectively controlling said discharge port and water inlet, means for automatically fully opening said inlet valve substantially instantaneously upon the lifting of said discharge valve, and means for automatically and substantially instantaneously closing said inlet valve from full open position upon the rise of water in the tank to a predetermined level.

15. A flushing apparatus comprising, in combination, a storage tank, a flush valve, a source of water supply under pressure, an inlet valve connected to said source of water supply and operable on differential pressures obtained from said source of water supply, means utilizing back pressure derived from said source of water supply for normally holding said inlet valve closed, means for establishing said back pressure operable automatically upon the water in the tank reaching a predetermined level, and means operated by the flush valve upon the opening of the Hush valve for releasing said back pressure.

16. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port and a water inlet connection, of a hollow float valve for the discharge port having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for the water in the tank when a predetermined level is attained, a water inlet connection, a valve for controlling the same, a post extending upward from the inlet valve into said hollow iioat valve and forming a guide for the latter, means mounted on said post and operated by the lifting of said float valve for opening the water inlet valve, and means operated by overflow of water into said tubular extension of the hollow float valve for closing said inlet valve.

17. In a flushing apparatus, the combination with a tank having a water discharge port, of a combined water inlet and outlet fitting including an annular seat surrounding said discharge port, a water inlet connection arranged Within said annular seat and discharging outside thereof, a hollow float valve normally resting on said annular seat and having an upward tubular extension forming an overflow for water in the tank when a predetermined level is attained, a valve for controlling said water inlet operated by differential pressure, a hollow post extending upward from said water inlet valve within said hollow float valve and forming a guide for the latter, said post containing a chamber for the liquid normally holding said inlet valve closed, a valve controlling a port in said post for venting said liquid pressure, a lever mounted on said post for unseating said control valve on the lifting of said oat valve, and means operated by the overflow of water into said tubular extension for actuating said lever to restore said control valve to its seat, and thereby close said water inlet valve.

' JAMES M. TEAHEN. 

